SMU vs. USC: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

After both the USC Trojans and SMU Mustangs went through disappointing weekends, Saturday night’s game is an opportunity to regain some momentum. Who gets themselves a good win this weekend?

TV schedule: Saturday, Dec. 2, 10:00 p.m. ET. ESPNU

Arena: Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas

It was an incredibly disappointing “Feast Week” for the PAC-12 conference with everyone losing games. The USC Trojans (4-1) were one of them, losing at home to Texas A&M 75-59. USC shot just 28% in the game and was never truly in it. Between that and having to go to overtime to beat an average Vanderbilt, those who tapped them as a Final Four contender may start to get nervous.

The issues have little to do with the starting five with each guy averaging at least 9.0 ppg. The top two guys are on the frontline with juniors Chimeze Metu and Bennie Boatwright who combined put up 33.4 ppg and 16.0 rpg. Jordan McLaughlin is the top option on the perimeter, and Elijah Stewart and Jonah Mathews are both solid scoring options as well.

Part of the reason why they haven’t hit their stride yet has been the bench. They have talented players such as Shaqquan Aaron, Nick Rakocevic, and Duke transfer Derryck Thorton, but no one’s averaging more than 4.0 ppg off the bench. The abilities of the starters play a part of it, but the reserves just haven’t been making the impact they should.

SMU (6-2) doesn’t have the overall depth of talent like the Trojans, but they do have a star of their own in Shake Milton. The junior averages 18.3 ppg to lead the team and plays over 36 mpg. Jarrey Foster is second on the team in 14.9 ppg, but it’s Arkansas transfer Jimmy Whitt who’s the key clog for the Mustangs. He averages 9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 5.4 apg and does a bit of everything for them.

In the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, SMU lost games to both Northern Iowa and Western Kentucky. Both teams aren’t bad but will still be hits on the Mustangs’ resume. Even the win against Arizona lost value, as the former No. 2 team in the country lost three games in a row to now not being ranked.

Next: Arizona-UNLV by the position

Last season USC pulled off the upset in Los Angeles over the No. 11 Mustangs, 78-73. This time around the tables have turned with the Trojans being the top-15 ranked team. With the game being in Dallas, it’s the Mustangs who may have the edge in this game. This is one where the loser will have to reexamine things.

Prediction: USC 80 – SMU 85